NL2023986A - Simultaneous servicing a group of suction buckets. - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly<IEa suction pile andeapump systenltemporary connected by convenient means to the suction space of the suction pile, preferably wherein the pump system bears onto the top of the upward extending suction pile. The pump system comprising a central unit and separate fronlit at least two or three, mutually separate, pump modules, such that the central unit and each pump module can all be mutually remote. The central unit provided.with a control panel designed.for use with a ROV. Also claimed is the pump system for the above assembly.

Description

Suction pile pump device assembly for simultaneous servicing a group of buckets, e.g. of a cluster pile.

The suction pile pump device assembly (in here also called Vassembly”) comprises a central unit (provided with a control panel designed for use with a ROV) and separate from it at least two or three, mutually separate, pump modules, such that the central unit and each pump module can all be mutually remote.

The expression “ROV” means Remotely Operated Vehicle, The expression “hydraulic fluid” also means “pressurised hydraulic fluid”. The expression “umbilical” also means a flexible elongated member, e.g. hose like,

According to the invention, one or more of the following applies to the assembly:

- the central unit is the source of hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals to supply to the individual pump modules;

- the central unit is designed as a means to transfer hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals between the ROV and the individual pump modules;

— from the central unit extend two, three or more umbilicals to equal number of pump modules.

Each umbilical preferably has at least three, e.g. at least five or six (in a presently preferred embodiment seven) hydraulic lines and also possibly an electricity lead;

- each pump module contains a pump means, e.g. positive displacement type, connected to the relevant umbilical from the central unit, to receive hydraulic fluid and/or electricity and/or electronic signals from the central unit;

- the central unit contains an input for hydraulic fluid from the ROV, downstream from it a flow divider and downstream from it control valves and downstream from it the umbilicals to distribute the hydraulic fluid over the pump modules to drive the pump means of the pump modules;

~ the central unit has means such that the flow of hydraulic fluid to the individual pump module can be controlled individually;

- the central unit has means to control the flow amount, controlling the pump speed, and/or the flow direction,

controlling suction or pressing of the pump, preferably such that the flow amount and/or flow direction is in common for all pump modules; - the umbilical provides the transfer of data and/or energy to the pump modules for additional functions, e.g. to control the venting valve to selectively connect the suction space with the environment, and/or the connector (e.g. pad lock eye) to temporary fasten the pump interface means of a pump module to the suction pile interface means of the associated bucket; - the central unit is completely accommodated in a light welght, right angled protective frame and preferably contains one or more electricity accumulators.

— the central unit is designed to be only briefly or temporary in operation under water, reason why it is provided with e.g. electricity accumulators; = the central unit is designed for re-use / frequent placing and removing / docking / coupling/uncoupling; = the central unit is designed as a mobile, flexible system of limited dimensions and small volume, preferably less than 5 cubic metre; — the central unit is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement relative to the top bulkhead in directions parallel to the top bulkhead and/or perpendicular to the axial direction of the bucket; ~ the central unit is free to move axially away from the top bulkhead; - the central unit is locked, by locking means that are fastened to the top bulkhead, against movement in all directions relative to the top bulkhead; - the main components of the assembly, i.e. the central unit and pump modules, are mutually connected by hoisting means (also called “hoist line”), e.g. a flexible pulling member such as a rope or chain, in such a manner that, starting from their positions of use at the group of buckets, they are lifted from the relevant bucket one by one after each other in an upward moving single lift movement/operation, e.g. since the length of the individual hoist lines differ, preferably all hoist lines differ from each other in length, and these hoist lines share the same hoist point where the lift force is introduced from the lift appliance, e.g. hoisting crane; or, alternatively, the central unit and pump modules are fastened to a common hoist line with e.g. sufficient overlength between the central unit and pump modules to allow lifting one by one, wherein preferably the common hoist point is moved to a location straight above the next component to be lifted, after which said next component is lifted; - the hoist line is designed such that the components already lifted remain lifted and/or the components not yet lifted remain imnovable until the time they become lifted; — the pump modules are not fastened to a rigid, common supporting frame, due to the large tolerances of the pump module positioning onto the associated bucket interface means; - designed for a water depth of 3000 metre or deeper, e.g. 5000 metre; — the central unit is provided with a control panel designed to be operated by the robot arm of a ROV and to be observed by the camera of a ROV.

The invention relates to a suction pile pump device for use during installing or removing a foundation system for an offshore payload, e.g. an offshore wind energy installation or for oil or gas applications. The foundation system is provided with a group of buckets, e.g. a cluster pile type suction bucket (in here, “suction bucket”, “bucket” or “suction pile” or “pile” are synonyms). In case of a wind energy installation the mast preferably comprises an upright monopole and on top of it (e.g. at the so called transition piece} an upright tower, wherein the tower supports the nacelle, carrying the blades, at its top. Instead of a nacelle the payload could comprise e.g. a platform, e.g. for oil or gas application or a transformer platform for an offshore substation. Sea depth typically will be at least 10 or 20 or 50 or 60 metres and feasible is at least 500 or 1000 metres, e.g. 3000 metres. The foundation system can also provide an anchoring system, e.g.

for mooring purposes, e.g. a floating offshore wind energy installation or different floating object. Orientations, e.g. “up”, “down”, “top”, “aside”, “upright”, “vertical”, “above”, “level” are in this document related to the situation that the pump system is in its operative position and operatively coupled with the bucket and fluid pump running, actively sucking fluid from the pressure space, while the bucket is oriented vertically upright, top bulkhead above and open underside below, longitudinal axis vertical.

A cluster pile is provided with at least two or three self contained buckets mutually parallel and spaced, that are fastened to each other in a rigid manner, wherein preferably their mutual spacing is less than a bucket diameter. The buckets could also be part of a jacket.

Suction buckets and how to install them are a.o. known from GB-B-2300661 and EP-B-9011894, which are enclosed in here by reference. Briefly, a suction bucket is a thin walled steel or reinforced mineral cement concrete sleeve or pipe or cylinder, which cylinder is closed at its longitudinal top end by a bulkhead (also called top plate) or different sealing means of steel or reinforced mineral cement concrete and which cylinder is sealingly located on the subsea bottom with the open end opposite the bulkhead since this open end penetrates the subsea bottom due to the weight of the suction bucket. Thus the cavity, also called suction space, delimited by the cylinder and the bulkhead is sealed by the subsea floor such that vacuum or suction can be generated by removing water from within the suction space such that a resulting force tends to force the suction bucket deeper into the subsea floor. The creation of the suction can be with the aid of a suction source, such as a fluid pump, being on, or close to or at a distance from the suction bucket and connected to the suction space. The applied level of the suction can be e.g. at least substantially constant, smoothly increase or decrease or else pulsate, for which there are convenient means. After use, the suction bucket can easily be removed by creating an overpressure within the suction space, e.g. by pumping in (sea) water. The fluid pump is preferably designed to pump liquid, e.g.

water.

A self installing marine structure, e.g. platform applying suction buckets is known from e.g. WO99/51821 (SIP1) or EP-A-1 101 872 (SIP2) of the present inventor. WO 02/088.475 (SIP3) 5 discloses a tower carrying a wind turbine at the top and suction buckets as foundation.

Suction buckets are more and more applied as (part of) a foundation of an offshore wind energy turbine. For such application, typically a single or three or more mutually spaced suction buckets are applied, providing a static balanced (in case of three suction buckets) or overbalanced (in case of more than three suction buckets) support. In operation, the suction buckets have at least almost completely penetrated the sea bed, are at equal or substantially equal level and are adjacent each other or have a mutual horizontal spacing providing a clearance of at least 5 metre, typically in the order of 20 metre or more, e.g. between 30 and 35 metres, or a clearance of at least 0.5 or 1.0 times the diameter of the suction bucket (clearance means the shortest distance between the facing side walls). This single bucket or assembly of suction buckets carries a single monopole or a space frame (also called jacket) of steel beams or tubes and on top of it a vertical tower supporting at its upper end the nacelle of the wind energy turbine provided with rotor blades, typically rotating around a horizontal axis and driven by the wind. The wind energy turbine converts wind energy into electrical energy. The wind turbine is typically part of a wind farm of identical wind turbines each provided with its own foundation of three or more suction buckets. A cable brings the electricity from the wind turbine generator to an electricity consumer onshore, e.g. a household.

One of the benefits of suction buckets is that a marine structure can be designed to be self bearing and/or self installing by providing it with one or more suction buckets. So the hoisting device and the plant for installing the foundation, e.g. crane vessel and hammering device, can be completely eliminated.

Since the structure is provided with one or more suction buckets, removal (also called decommissioning) after use is made easier in that by pressing out the suction bucket, the anchoring of the structure to the underwater bottom can be completely removed. The structure is typically at least substantially made frommetal, typically steel.

Preferably each suction bucket has one or more of: a diameter of at least 5 metres, typically between 7 or 10 and 15 metre or even more; a height of at least 5 metres, typically between 10 and 15 metre or even more and/or less than 20 or 30 metre, subject to the soil conditions; a wall thickness of at least 1 centimetre, typically at least 3 or 5 centimetre and/or below 10 or 15 or 20 centimetre; the longitudinal axis of the suction bucket and the relevant supporting leg (of the upper structure to be supported by the suction bucket) are substantially in line or eccentric.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is versatile. By way of example, the object is one or more of: improved control during installation of the group of buckets; low costs; improved reliability; ease of handling is facilitated. The object can also be learned from the information disclosed in the application documents.

For offshore installations, particularly for wind energy turbines, there are stringent requirements on many topics. Examples of these topics are: low production costs; fast and efficient installation in a matter of 1-8 hours; environmental friendly.

The object is obtained by a pump system designed to be temporary connected to the internal space (also called suction space) of the suction pile to generate an over pressure or under pressure within the suction space, preferably wherein the pressure difference generated relative to the surrounding water pressure (e.g. approximately 10 bar at 100 meter water depth or 100 bar at 1000 meter water depth) is at least 0.5 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 bar. Preferably the pump system is designed to generate within the suction space an over or under pressure between 5 and 10 bar. It will be appreciated that for the under pressure (i.e. the suction), lowering of the pressure within the suction space is limited by the vacuum level (0 bar) such that at a pressure of e.g. 3 bar of the surrounding water {at a water depth of approximately 20 meter), a pump system rated for 5 bar pressure difference shall be unable to lower the pressure for more then 3 bar within the suction space (in practise the maximum attainable under pressure level will be a fraction of 1 bar above vacuum, e.g. 0.1 or 0.05 bar). A prior art pump system is disclosed in EP17166678.7 (SPT Equipment bv). One or more of the following preferably applies to the pump system (any one of the mentioned parts preferably permanently mounted to the pump system): designed to stably bear onto the suction pile top bulkhead, e.g. by comprising at least three mutually spaced supporting feet; a main frame, to carry all parts of the pump system; a three dimensional enclosure, e.g. a space frame of, preferably straight, beams, as an external protecting shell or envelope (also called “protective frame”) for the fluid pumps, e.g. of rectangular and/or elongate shape, wherein the one or more fluid pumps are enclosed within the space delimited by the protective frame; at least one or two, electrically or hydraulically driven, fluid pumps, e.g. one or more of centrifugal type, fixed displacement type (e.g. “lobe pump”, positive displacement type (e.d. membrane or piston type); at least two fluid pumps of different or identical type; a fluid pump of high flow low pressure type, e.g. centrifugal fluid pump; a fluid pump of low flow high pressure type, e.g. membrane pump or piston pump or positive displacement pump; an interface means, e.g. provided by or comprising a from the lower side of the pump system downward projecting tube stud, providing the pump system interface to connect the fluid pump to the suction space for fluid communication, which interface means preferably is provided with a seat, e.g. a flange, at its end remote from the pump system, against which the corresponding interface means at the suction pile, e.g. provided by or comprising an upward directed pipe stud, becomes seated, e.g. a corresponding seat, e.g. a flange; the interface means provided with a seal for sealing engagement to the suction pile interface means; the interface means designed such that, if the interface means of the pump system and the suction pile are fluidly connected, the pump is fluidly connected to the suction space through a fluid line connected to both the pump and to the pump system interface means; the pump system, preferably at or adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the interface means, provided with a connector member for releasable locking engagement with a corresponding connector member at the bucket, e.g. provided at the bucket top bulkhead, e.g. at the corresponding interface means of the bucket or adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the bucket interface means; the connector member comprising a quick connector with preferably padlock eye system for engagement with a corresponding quick connector at the bucket; the interface means designed for spring loaded seated connection to the bucket interface means; a measurement probe, e.g. echo sounder probe, designed for measurement through top bulkhead tube stud of bucket; docking cone designed to penetrate top bulkhead tube stud to align pump system for sufficient sealing; piping provided with one or more, e.g. two, 3way valves for changing the water flow direction provided by a fluid pump, e.g. centrifugal pump, from suction to pressing without the need to reverse the fluid pump; pin override system on latching pins; valve arrangement for reversing pump flow; vent valve arrangement in pump system (e.g. straight above or integrated in or associated with the interface means); system to temporarily increase venting capacity; convenient position of its centre of gravity, preferably approximately in the centre of the pump system, e.g. one or more of lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise; lift and/or upend appliance; a control panel, e.g. having a width and/or height at least 25 or 50 centimetre, connected and designed to be operated by a ROV such that the ROV can operate and monitor the pump system and provided with input and output means adapted for the ROV, e.g. input means such as one or more actuators, e.g. one or two or more mechanical switches and/or mechanical levers, e.g. to open or close a valve or different operating means of the pump system, designed to be operated by an actuating means, e.g. robot arm, of the ROV and/or output means such as one or two or more display devices, e.g. gauges or an electronic display screen, designed to be monitored by a camera of the ROV to e.g. capture a pressure or temperature or different data of the pump system; the control panel being fastened to and/or carried by the protective frame and/or the first area.

The invention is also based on the teaching, obtained by the inventor, that one or more of the following is possible: tilting correction of bucket; ease of transport over water to the final offshore destination; deeper penetration of the suction buckets into the sea bottom; locating ballast on top of the suction buckets.

The in this application cited documents are inserted in here by reference and each provide technical background for a better understanding of this invention.

Preferably one or more of the following applies: the suction required to penetrate the suction bucket into the subsea bottom during installation and/or the overpressure applied during settlement correction or to extract the suction bucket from the sea bed is generated within the suction bucket above the slab or above the top bulkhead of the suction bucket, preferably since the suction side of a suction pump means or the pressure side of a pressure pump means is connected to the suction bucket at a location above the slab, e.g. the top bulkhead is provided with a nozzle or different sealable port for fluid connection of the suction space with a suction or pressure pump means; the diameter of the suction bucket is constant over its height (the height is the direction from the top bulkhead towards the opposite open end); from the top bulkhead the cylinder walls of the suction bucket extend parallel; the open end of the suction bucket, designed to be located on the sea floor first is completely open, in other words, its aperture is merely bordered by the cylinder walls; the water depth is such that the suction bucket is completely below the water surface when its lower end contacts the sea floor, in other words when its lower end has not penetrated the sea floor yet; the foundation comprises three, four or more mutually spaced suction buckets; the slab completely fills the gap; with the penetration of the suction bucket into the sea floor completed, the top bulkhead is spaced from the sea floor and/or the lower side of the slab bears onto the sea floor which is possibly at elevated level within the suction bucket, compared to the seafloor level external from the suction bucket, due to raising of the seabed plug within the suction space caused by penetration of the suction bucket into the seabed; the by releasable sealing means, e.g. a valve, selectively closable port in the top bulkhead to allow water entering and/or exiting the suction bucket is provided with a coupling means designed for temporary engagement of a suction and/or pressure pump at the time of installing, settlement correction and removing, respectively, of the suction bucket into and from, respectively, the seafloor soil, which port is associated with the fluid flow channel.

Preferably, the design of the suction bucket is such that fluid from a source, e.g. pressure pump, flows from the source through a sealed channel, terminating below the top bulkhead and within the suction space of the bucket. During sucking in the pressure is typically at least 0.1 or 0.25 or 0.5 or 1 bars below the local water pressure external from the suction bucket. During pressing out (correction operation or decommissioning) the pressure is typically at least 0.25 or 0.5 or 1 or 2 bars above the local water pressure external from the suction bucket.

The suction bucket is also preferably provided with known as such valves and/or hatches adjacent or at its top bulkhead for selectively allowing water and air to enter or exit the suction space through the top side of the suction bucket.

The pump system interface means and the suction pile interface means preferably have, in the operational position during suction or pressing, a longitudinal axis parallel to the one of the suction pile.

The top bulkhead of the suction pile is provided with an interface means, e.g. upward projecting tube stud, providing the suction pile interface to connect the fluid pump to the suction space. Preferably this means is provided with one or more of: a valve to selectively seal the suction space; a seat, e.g. a flange, at its end remote from the top bulkhead, onto which the corresponding interface means at the pump system, e.g. downward directed pipe stud, becomes seated, e.g. a corresponding seat, e.g. a flange; a coupling member for releasable and/or temporary engagement with the corresponding member at the pump system interface, e.g. a padlock eye system, preferably oriented for penetration in a direction perpendicular to the suction pile longitudinal axis. The padlock eye system preferably comprises a retractable pin, preferably provided with a drive means to extend and retract, and/or at least one plate or structural element, mutually spaced and/or parallel, each having a hole, aligned mutually and with the pin. Preferably the plate or element extends parallel to the interface longitudinal axis and/or the hole is oriented for inserting a pin perpendicular to the suction pile longitudinal axis. The coupling member could also be provided at another location at the bucket, e.g. adjacent and/or at opposite sides of the interface means.

The suction pile is also preferably provided with known as such valves and/or hatches adjacent or at its top bulkhead for selectively allowing water and air to enter or exit the suction space through the top side of the suction pile.

The invention is directed, in an embodiment, to a pump system to be operatively connected temporary to a suction pile as a marine structure or part of it, the suction pile preferably provided by an open bottom and closed top, advantageously cylindrical, elongate shell providing a suction compartment or suction space, said closed top having an externally facing upper face and an opposite, toward the suction space facing lower face and preferably provided with one or more valves selectively allowing fluid communication between the suction space and the environment.

To the system to enlarge the venting capacity, preferably one or more of the following applies: means to, preferably axially, move or lift the pump system interface means towards and away from the suction pile interface means while the pump system is kept immovable and/or attached to the suction pile, such that in a first position the interface means are fluidly connected and moved towards each other and in a second position the interface means are mutually spaced, preferably axially, preferably at least 10 or 20 millimeter, mutually keeping a gap such that fluid flow exiting the suction pile through its interface means is not restricted to enter the pump system interface means, e.g. said means comprising a telescoping or extendible or expandable part e.g. as part of the pump system interface means.

To the lift and/or upend appliance, preferably one or more of the following applies: designed to lift or move the complete pump system, e.g. by acting on the main frame and/or protective frame; designed such that if the pump system is attached to the suction pile and is lifted by a hoisting means (e.g. crane hook of a crane) attached to the main frame and/or protective frame, the suction pile suspends fromthe lift appliance; having means for coupling of the pump system to the top bulkhead while simultaneously it is preferably allowed that the suction pile interface means and the pump system interface means can switch between two states such that they are selectively mutually spaced (e.g. for venting capacity, e.g. increased) or mutually connected; a from the pump system separate connector means or frame is provided with an element of the pump system coupling system and 1s attached to the pump system, e.g. main frame and/or protective frame by at least one movement means, preferably linear actuator, e.g. hydraulic jack, preferably regularly spaced around the pump system interface means; the element of the pump system coupling system 1s adapted for, preferably releasable, engagement with an element of the suction pile coupling system; while the elements of the pump system coupling system and the suction pile coupling system are mutually engaged, the distance between the pump system and the suction pile can be adapted by operating the linear actuator to extend or retract; this mutual movement of the pump system interface means and the suction pile interface means is a linear or a tilting movement, in which latter case the connector means is preferably pivoted to the pump system. In this manner de flow through area is e.g. enlarged from 20 inch to 28 inch diameter, for venting. To the quick connector to the top bulkhead tube stud, preferably one or more of the following applies: with means for releasable locking to the suction pile interface means; with preferably a hole and/or pin, the pin preferably operated by actuator means of the pump system to move between a releasing retracted and locking extended position, preferably by lengthwise movement and/or movement perpendicular to the interface means longitudinal axis; a padlock eye system; a spring loaded seated connection, e.g. a longitudinally resilient tube stud, preferably providing the tube free end (viz. e.g. fig. 13). The padlock eye system preferably comprises (viz. e.g. fig. 14-16) one or two spaced parallel plates or structural elements each having a mutually registered hole, the plates or elements preferably projecting from the pump system interface means and the coupling with the suction pile is made by locating a hole in a plate or structural element of the suction pile interface means in register with the pump system interface means and inserting a tightly fitting pin into these two or three holes. The plates or elements preferably extend parallel to the interface means longitudinal axis.

To the docking cone preferably one or more of the following applies: designed to penetrate the suction pile interface means, e.g. top bulkhead tube stud to align the pump system, or part of it, for sufficient sealing coupling of both interface means; projects downwards and/or below the pump system; is provided by a spatial arrangement of plate like members to provide maximum flow through passage, e.g. at right angle crossing plates oriented parallel to and the cross axis co axial with the interface longitudinal axis (viz. e.g. fig. 8); co axial with pump system interface means.

To the piping with 3 way valves (viz. fig. 12), preferably one or more of the following applies: provided with one or more, e.g. two, 3way valves; provided with valves for changing or reversing the water flow direction inside a tube connected to a fluid pump from suction to pressing without reversing the pump operation or its drive system; the tube connected to the inlet and outlet of the relevant fluid pump, preferably through separated connections at the tube; one or both of the inlet and outlet of the fluid pump are connected to the common tube and possibly the environment via valves, e.g. a 3way valve, preferably each inlet and outlet its own 3way valve or valve set; a 3way valve or valve set provides selective connection and sealing, respectively, between the pump inlet or outlet, on the one hand, and the environment and common tube, on the other hand; the fluid pump is, through piping and valves, connected with its inlet and outlet to the common tube and the environment such that by merely switching the valves, selectively the outlet is connected to the environment and sealed from the common tube and simultaneously the inlet is connected to the common tube and sealed from the environment (suction), or vice versa (pressing); the pipe connected to the outlet and the common tube is separate from the pipe connected to the inlet and the common tube; a 3way valve could be replaced by a valve set, e.g. two 2way valves, one of which is located in a branch and these are simultaneously operated to selectively seal the branch and open the mains, or vice versa, in which case the branch terminates in the environment and the mains into the common tube.

To the pin override system (viz. fig. 17-18) preferably one or more of the following applies: comprises a means, e.d. handle, for manual operation by a diver or for mechanical operation by an actuator, e.g. robot arm, of an underwater vehicle (e.g. ROV), preferably the handle is designed to provide the system a rotating action from an external source; designed to simultaneously act on two spaced latching members, e.g. pins, e.g. by operating a single means, e.g. handle; designed to be operated from two sides, preferably opposite sides, of the pump system, e.g. a handle at both sides, preferably the operation means mounted on a common axis; designed to move, e.g. displace, the actuator, preferably of linear type, e.g. a jack, preferably of hydraulic type, of the latching member or members, e.g. pins,

preferably such that the member is retracted to the release position, e.g. to be away from the associated holes or eyes or different feature, e.g. edge, for locking together the interface means of the pump system and the suction pile, such movement of the jack preferably while the jack is inoperative, e.g. due to malfunctioning; a transmission, e.g. crank type connection, to convert a rotating movement into a linear movement; a transmission between two mutually angled, e.d. perpendicular, rotating axes; at least two latching members, preferably each having an own actuator, e.g. jack; a common drive means, e.g. rotating axis, drivingly connected to two driven means, e.g. rotating axes, each associated with an own latching member.

To the vent valve arrangement (viz. fig. 7) preferably one or more of the following applies: part of or on top of or above, preferably straight above and/or co axial with, the pump system interface means; the pump piping to communicate the suction or pressure from the fluid pump to the suction pile through the interface means connects to the pump system interface means at a level below the vent valve arrangement and/or to the side of the pump system interface means; the pump piping connects to the pump system interface means at an angle to the pump system interface means longitudinal axis, preferably between 70 and 110 or between 80 and 100 degrees, such as 90 degrees; the pump piping has, e.g. its end connecting to the interface means, a flow through area substantially smaller, e.g. at least 25% or 50% (e.g. 6 inch piping diameter compared to 20 inch interface means diameter) compared to that of the interface means; the interface means extends upward, e.g. parallel to the suction pile longitudinal axis; releasably seals the pump system interface means to the surrounding water; the pump piping connects to the pump system interface means remote from, e.g. above, the interface part (the flange feature) designed to sealingly engage the corresponding part of the suction pump interface means, e.g. the flange; the pump piping connects to the pump system interface means at a location between the vent valve arrangement and the flange feature; at a distance above the pump system interface means a protective plate like element, oriented preferably perpendicular to the interface means longitudinal axis, is located to sideways divert the upstream flow from the interface means and protect pump system parts above it.

To the pump system size dimensions (viz. fig. 9-11) preferably one or more of the following applies: two fluid pumps are present within the protective frame and/or are located side by side at the same level; the fluid pumps are located at the one side, the pump drives at the opposite side of the pump system interface means, seen in top view; the fluid pumps and their drives are located at a level above the level of the pump system interface means; a compact piping, preferably containing at least one or two manifolds, to connect the one or two fluid pumps to the interface means and the surrounding water; piping and valving to apply suction or pressing to the interface means without reversing the fluid pump; two manifolds above each other relative to the interface means longitudinal axis; a manifold associated with the pump inlet; a manifold associated with the pump outlet; a riser pipe connected to two manifolds, preferably spaced along its length; the riser pipe connects to the pump system interface means, preferably at its lower end; piping at the one and opposite side of the riser pipe, seen in top view, connecting to the inlet or outlet of a relevant fluid pump, preferably said piping connecting to a manifold; a or each manifold connecting to a pipe terminating into the surrounding water as water intake or outlet to the pump system; valving to selectively open and close a relevant pipe, e.g. to control fluid flow between a manifold and one or more of the riser pipe, a pipe terminating in the surrounding water or a pipe connecting to the pump inlet and/or outlet; a valve of open/close type or a rate control valve, the rate control valve preferably associated with the into the surrounding water terminating pipe; one or two or each manifold having four pipes connected to it, preferably one from each two fluid pumps, one from the riser pipe and one from the into the surrounding water terminating pipe; a manifold, preferably the one associated with the pump outlet, comprises one or two curved pipes, preferably merging into a common pipe of preferably larger, e.g. at least 25%, flow through area, e.g. 4 inch diameter curved pipes merge into a 6 inch diameter common pipe; a manifold connects to a terminal of the riser pipe, e.g. the riser pipe terminates as a T-shaped pipe connecting to pipes from the fluid pumps, preferably outlet, on the one hand and to the pipe terminating in the surrounding water, on the other hand; a manifold is symmetric, e.g. in top view; a valve is present at a level between the manifolds; a valve is present in the riser pipe at a location between the connection of the pump inlet and outlet; the piping connecting to the pump inlet and/or outlet increases in flow through area, preferably at least 20% at a location along its length between the pump inlet or outlet, respectively, and a piping branch or merger, e.g. from 3 or 4 inch diameter at the pump outlet or inlet to 4 or 6 inch diameter, respectively; a manifold, preferably associated with the pump inlet, comprises at least one or two T-pieces, e.d. mutually connected, preferably a T-piece connects to a pump inlet or outlet and to a termination into the surrounding water and/or a T-piece connects to the riser pipe and to a pump inlet or outlet; the piping and valving is designed such that two fluid pumps are connected to a common inlet manifold, having an inlet termination into the surrounding water, and a common outlet manifold, having an outlet termination into the surrounding water, both manifolds are connected to a common riser pipe at spaced locations along its length, between which the riser pipe has a valve, the fluid pumps selectively suck water from the riser pipe, having its valve closed, or the inlet termination, with the riser pipe valve opened, through the inlet manifold and supply it to the outlet termination or the riser pipe, respectively, through the outlet manifold; the piping comprises two sets of two valves each (preferably the sets have not a valve in common), wherein the valves of the one set is opened at the time the valves of the other set are closed, or vice versa, preferably each valve set has of both manifolds a valve, preferably a valve associated with the riser pipe of the one manifold and a valve associated with the inlet or outlet termination of the other manifold; a fluid pump is associated with a valve to selectively seal it from the piping, e.g. in case the fluid pump is made inoperative.

The invention is further illustrated by way of non-limiting, presently preferred embodiments providing the best way of carrying out the invention and shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 a top view of a suction pile; Fig. 2 a sectional side view according to the fig. 1 line A-A of the suction pile and a pump system on top of it; Fig. 3 a pump system in perspective view; Fig. 4-6 a front, top and side view of the pump system of fig. 3; Fig. 7-8 a view according to line B-B in fig. 5 and D-D in fig. 6; Fig. 9 of the fig. 3 pump system the piping and pumps in perspective exploded view; Fig. 10 the fig. 9 piping from the opposite direction; Fig. lla-b a side and front view of the fig. 9 piping; Fig. 12 a perspective view of an alternative piping; Fig. 13 an exploded side view of a resilient flange coupling; Fig. 14 an exploded side view of a pin locked flange coupling; Fig. 15 an photographic image of a part of the fig. 14 coupling; Fig. 16 a perspective view of a part of the fig. 14 coupling; Fig. 17 a view according to line A-A in fig. 4; Fig. 18 a perspective view of the fig. 17 mechanism; Fig. 19 a perspective view of an alternative to the Fig. 14 embodiment; Fig. 20 a side view of the Fig. 19 embodiment; Fig. 21-24 perspectives of the inventive pump system; Fig. 25 a top view of the fig. 21-24 system; Fig. 26-29 detail views of the fig. 21-24 system; Fig. 30 a schematic view of a hoist configuration; Fig. 31 a perspective of a top bulkhead of the bucket; and Fig. 32 a perspective of the bucket interface means.

Fig. 1-20 show known as such components of the pump system. Fig. 1-2 show the suction pile interface means 5, the cylindrical wall 7, the pump system 1, the pump system interface means 9, the seafloor 11, the soil plug 12 within the suction space, the top bulkhead 6, the longitudinal axis 14, the open lower side 8. Fig. 3-18 show particulars of the pump system, particularly the above discussed features: a quick connector to mutually lock the pump system and suction pile interface means releasably; measurement probe design; docking cone design; piping for changing the water flow direction without reversing the pump; pin override system on latching pins; vent valve arrangement in pump system; compact pump system size dimensions.

Fig. 3 illustrates the protective external space frame 24 and the four supporting feet 25. At the top, the frame 24 is provided with attachments 28 (e.g. eyes) for a hoisting device to hoist the pump system 1 and also the suction pile suspending from the pump system when the interface means 5, 9 are mutually coupled. The pump 3 and its drive at opposite sides of the interface means 5, 9 is most clearly illustrated in fig. 7 and 9.

The protective element at a distance above the pump system interface means, as part of the vent valve arrangement, is most clearly illustrated in fig. 6, 7 and 9.

The cone 27 is the lower part of fig. 8, also illustrated in fig. 4, 6 and 7.

The connection of the riser pipe to the side of the interface means is best illustrated in fig. 7.

The fig. 9-11 piping has six valves. Fig. lla-b illustrate the valve associated with the riser pipe, the two manifolds above and below it. The arrows in fig. 10 illustrate flow directions.

In fig. 12 two 3way valves 2, the centrifugal pump 3 and the two pipe terminals 4 connecting to the interface means 9 (not shown) are illustrated, with the connecting piping. The 3way valves are simultaneously switched such that the one connects to associated piping to the surrounding water and the other connects the associated piping to the interface means 9 such that in this manner the inlet or the outlet of the pump is connected to the interface means 9 and thus the pump operates as suction or pressure source, respectively, to the interface means 9.

Fig. 13 shows the suction pile interface means 5 and the pump system interface means, the terminate end 9 of which latter is floatingly suspended due to the bellows 10 and springs 13, such that a spring loaded coupling can be made such that the interface means are merely mutually sealed by gravitational force (the weight of the pump system).

Fig. 14 shows to the right hand side the locked state.

This embodiment can be designed such that the complete suction pile can suspend from the mutually locked interface means 5, 9, in different words the suction pile can suspend from the protective frame. The arrow illustrates the displacement of the pump system interface means 9 towards the suction pile interface means 5.

Fig. 15-17 show of the padlock eye system the two parallel plates 16 associated with the pump system interface means, fig. 15 also shows the retracted pin 17 and fig. 17 the extended pin 17 to mutually lock the registered holes of the three plates 15, 16.

Fig. 17 shows in phantom the location of the plate 15 associated with the suction pile interface means, plate 15 being part of the padlock eye system and sandwiched between the plates of the pump system interface means if the interface means are mutually locked. Also shown is the hydraulic jack 18 as the actuator to retract and extend the pin 17.

The turn handle 19, transmission 20 between rotating axes, and crank 21 to convert rotation into translation are shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 19 and 20 show an embodiment for rigid coupling of the pump system 1 to the top bulkhead 6 while simultaneously it is allowed that the pipes 5 and 9 are selectively mutually spaced (e.g. for purposes of venting fluid from inside the suction pile to the environment) or mutually connected. A connector frame 23 is provided with the plates 16 of the padlock eye system. The connector frame 23 is attached to the protective frame 24 by four hydraulic jacks 22 (three visible in fig. 19) regularly spaced around the interface means 9. At the time the plates 15 and 16 are mutually fixed by the pins 17, the distance between the pipes 5 and 9 can be adapted by operating the hydraulic jacks to extend or retract.

Fig. 20 illustrates most to the left the phase during which the pump system 1 is lowered (illustrated by arrow A) onto the top bulkhead 6, hydraulic jacks 22 retracted, plates 15, 16 mutually registered and spaced. In the mid coupling of the pump system 1 with the top bulkhead 6 is completed since the pins 17 mutually fix the plates 15, 16. Since the hydraulic jacks 22 are retracted, pipe 9 connects to pipe 5. Most to the right the hydraulic jacks 22 are extended, lift frame 24 and thus pipe 9 relative to connector frame 23, such that pipes 5, 9 mutually keep a gap such that fluid flow exiting the suction pile by pipe 5 is not restricted to enter pipe 9.

The fig. 19 embodiment allows to suspend the suction pile from the protective frame 24.

An alternative to fig. 19 is to provide the jacks 22 at a longitudinal end with the plates 16 and locate the jacks 22 such that the plates 16 can be registered with the plates 15. In this manner the connector frame 23 can be left out. In another alternative the frame 23 is pivoted to the pump system 1 at the one side of the interface means 9, yielding a tilting movement of the pump system 1 relative to the suction pile.

Fig. 21-25 show the general lay out of the pump system and fig. 26-29 show details. A ROV temporarily connects to the control panel of the central unit and supplies to the central unit pressurized hydraulic fluid and electricity and electronic signals and the central unit distributes these through the umbilicals to operate the pump modules for pumping sea water in or out the buckets, to vent the buckets, etc.

Fig. 26 and 27 clearly show the control panel.

Fig. 30 shows an example of a hoist configuration to lift in a single operation and with a single, common lift point the four main components of the pump system, namely the three pumps and the control panel, mutually connected by individual umbilicals, the one after the other, wherein the components already lifted remain lifted and the components not yet lifted remain immovable until the time they become lifted.

Fig. 31 shows of the padlock eye system the plates 15 permanently fixed to the top bulkhead 6 of the bucket, and the pump system interface means 9 in between plates 15.

Fig. 32 shows an alternative to fig. 31, wherein the plates of the padlock eye system are permanently fixed to the, permanently to the top bulkhead 6 fixed, pump system interface means 9 (e.g. a tube). Fig. 14, 19 and 20 show a design similar 15 to fig. 32.

The invention is not limited to the above described and in the drawings illustrated embodiments. The drawing, the specification and claims contain many features in combination. The skilled person will consider these also individually and combine them to further embodiments. Features of different in here disclosed embodiments can in different manners be combined and different aspects of some features are regarded mutually exchangeable. All described or in the drawing disclosed features provide as such or in arbitrary combination the subject matter of the invention, also independent from their arrangement in the claims or their referral.

Claims (7)

CONCLUSIONS A unit of a suction pile and a pumping system temporarily connected by suitable means to the suction space of the suction pile, preferably wherein the pumping system rests on the top of the upwardly extending suction pile. A unit according to claim 1, acting between suction pile and pump system is a quick coupling comprising a pin (17) actuated by an actuating means (18) of the pump system for movement between a releasing retracted and a locking extended position. A unit according to any one of claims 1-2, the pump system comprises a docking cone arranged to penetrate the suction pile interface (5) and projects downwardly and below the pump system and is coaxial with the pump system interface (9). A unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the pumping system comprising a central unit and separate therefrom at least two or three mutually separated pump modules such that the central unit and each pump module can all be spaced apart, A unit according to any one of claims 1-4, the suction pile is for supporting a load. The unit pumping system of any one of claims 1-5. Method of operating the unit or pumping system according to any one of claims 1-6.